Okay, first thing, it's fine if you do trade, it's the best way to make cash.
But has anyone else just totally clawed their way up through missions and such, I did on both my chars (Though on each I got a donation). I think it's kinda fun, just working as hard as possible.
I did with my first char but never again, I already did it at least three times in single player, and that's just disco. One of those times I did this till I could afford a trade vessel and traded till i could get an outcast dessie, it was a pain.